(Andre Lyseight/CHSAANow.com)
DENVER — There’s no better way to start the boys basketball season off than two top teams in the Class 5A facing off in a physical matchup.
Tuesday night, the No. 2 Legend Titans defeated the No. 7 Denver East Angels 77-74 in a dramatic ending that came down to last seconds of the game.
Legend’s 6-foot-8 center Connor McCord took over in the fourth quarter propelling his team to a win with two crucial rebounds and two clutch layups to tie and take the lead with 16 seconds left on the clock. McCord finished the game with 16 points.
“I knew our team was still in the game,” said McCord. “Our team is so good at fighting through adversity. I knew we were still in the game and were going to comeback and win it.”
Legend started the fourth quarter with a one-point lead, but Denver East quickly took the lead with a layup from senior Samba Dioum. Shortly after that, the Angels hit back-to-back 3-pointers from senior Ian Osburn and senior Jack Buckmelter to put their team up 63-58.
Legend went cold at the 3-point line and struggled to score throughout the quarter.
Denver East had all the momentum at that point, giving the Angels the biggest lead on either side at 67-58. To add more fuel to the fire, the Angels’ leading scorer of the game, Buckmelter, with 24 points, hit another 3-pointer to put the team up 70-60.
But Just when it looked like the Angeles were going run off with a win, the Titans stepped up their defense and rallied back.
McCord stood strong in the paint and took a charge with 1:30 left in the game that lead to a 3-pointer from Monroe Porter, and brought the score within just two points at 74-72.
Legend forced a steal from Denver East that set up a shot for the Titans which was rebounded and put back up by McCord to tie the game.
The Titans were able to get the ball back and McCord got the rebound again with another put-back to put his team up 76-74 with 16 seconds left in the game. The Angels went for the win with a three from Buckmelter that missed.
“I think we played great. We fought through adversity,” McCord said. “We played a really good Denver East team.”
Denver East and Legend went back and forth starting from the tip-off. On the Angels’ first possession of the game, Jared Small stole the ball layup and foul. The Titans are a high-percentage 3-point shooting team, and were able to hit four 3s in the first quarter.
Denver East was able to stay in the game with free throws making it 22-21.
Legend controlled much of the second quarter going 8-8 from the free throw line, giving them 32-24 lead. Denver East was getting frustrated and struggled to get anything going.
The Angles rallied back with the help of senior Daytone Jennings controlling the paint with rebounds and layups. He finished the game with 14 points. Denver East took the lead before half with a layup from Deron Harrell, who finished the game with 11 points.
In the third quarter, Legend regain the lead after Denver East gave up multiple turnovers from sloppy passes. Both teams continued to go back and forth the remainder of quarter with Legend leading 56-55.
“I thought we played through a lot of adversity,” said Legend coach Kevin Boley. “So many fouls, being in foul trouble. It was about a 10-0 run at the end of the game. So to come here and win and do it that way feels really rewarding.”
“We got to clean up a lot of stuff in terms of fouling less. Gave up way to many second chance shots, but I thought we showed a lot of heart and character and found a way to win.”
Legend plays Fort Collins in an away game on Friday night. Denver East looks to bounce back against No. 6 Regis Jesuit at home on Thursday night.